Hi all
Because of the price point ($150 CDN), the gear live is one of my finalists for a smartwatch.
My question is, obviously, is the device still a good purchase in 2016?
Why or why not?
Thanks!
I would say yes I got the watch for christmas from my wife and have been using it every day since, lasts me all day with a few texts here and there, connects to my bluetooth headset, plays music independantly of phone, plenty of watchfaces on android market and can make your own with watchmaker app. Heart rate monitor is pretty consistent, screen res is nice and always on with dimmed mode. All in all a nice looking functional watch
yep mine still works awesome. I think google said that all android wear watches will get marshmallow update so it atleast good for another year. The always on display is a big feature.
I would say no....
I recently bought the Samsung Gear Live (new for $80) and also a new LG Urbane and I think I would have skipped the SGL if I had to do it over.
They are both running the same code and quite frankly, the SGL is a bit flaky compared to the LG.
ekaiser57 said:
Hi all
Because of the price point ($150 CDN), the gear live is one of my finalists for a smartwatch.
My question is, obviously, is the device still a good purchase in 2016?
Why or why not?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would avoid the Samsung Gear Live at any price over $80 USD.
I purchased a SGL in November 2014. I wore it all day every day until December 2015 when I picked up a Huawei Watch.
Samsung Gear Live:
Pros:
AMOLED Display
Heart Rate Sensor
Comfortable Ergonomic feel when worn
Acceptable battery life (I keep tilt to wake, always on display, and Wifi active)
IP67 Certification with silicone straps work well with an active lifestyle
Cons:
Display likely to pick up a few scratches over time. The outter bezel is not raised from the screen which makes the watch easier to interact with, but offers no protections against incidental contact. (I am very careful with electronics but my watches always seem to get nicked up. Unless you go with a Huawei watch with sapphire crystal this will likely be an issue on any android wear watch.)
Charger quality in question. The charger cradle clips on the back of the watch and secures tabs in the cradle into recesses on the sides of the watch. One of the tabs on my charger broke after around 6 months. I purchased a replacement from Samsung which is still holding up. I have even read cases of the recessed cavities on the watch breaking.
The plastic around where the watchbands connect has cracked and chipped off. The band is still held securely in the metal casing but I would think this will happen on all SGLs with time. This appears to affect the watches water resistance as it creates openings into the case.
The Lugs/connection place for the watch bands has a unique profile that in my opinion only looks nice with the watch band that comes with the watch. It will work with most 22mm watch bands but third party bands just don't look right to me.
The connection on the stock watch band is secured with two punch-through pins and can disconnect if the band gets caught on something like your belt or pocket.
The watch does not include an internal speaker and therefore will not support the speaker features in the Marshmallow Android Wear update.
Final Thoughts
I still wear my SGL when playing sports or working out but due to the build quality issues and look/style with custom watch bands I would not recommend it as a daily watch. I would suggest an Asus Zenwatch 2 in a similar price point as it includes an embedded speaker and has a more standard watch lug design that will allow you to use third party straps without compromising the look.
Once the Marshmallow Android Wear update is available you will definitely want a watch with an embedded speaker. I am so looking forward to being able to easily answer a call on my watch while either my phone is close but not accessible or my hands are not able to get to my phone. My most common examples wold be driving, cooking, and playing video games.
I have also accrued 5 new watch bands in addition to the one that came with my Huawei watch and I change them very frequently. I was not able to do this with the Gear Live as I hated the way after marked watch straps looked at the connection between the watch strap and the watch case.
If you still want a Gear Live I would suggest setting up an alert for it on Slickdeals and wait for a good deal to come along. It was available for $80 USD for a short time on 1/15/2016 on eBay.
Let me know if you have any more detailed questions about the SGL.
Related
I have large wrists and usually need extra links added to most watch bands. Anybody know how large the Gear band is?
The clasps come off so you can adjust.
In general the first thing to wear on a watch is the wrist strap. As this strap is an integral part of the watch you realise what that means. A complete new watch. I don't know what material the strap is made from. Oris make a watch range with what appears Rubber straps but this is a special reinforced vulcanised rubber same as found in car tyres. I have been using Oris for some years and have yet to replace a strap. I doubt the Gear is made from the same materials though?
Looks like its going to be a steep learning curve for us with this watch. I love my techno and am looking forward to trying out the Gear. I do have several reservations though and think a gear Mk2 will not be to far ahead. Judging by the offers Samsung are offering with the gear I think, from market research, that they also have some reservations. I am 'only' paying 120.00€ for my Gear not the full market price here of 300.00€.
Regards.
in fact, the band size is short, i am 1meter85, and the band is the limit to me. The plastic is hard (peharps too new?) and the close mechanism is bad placed (to much to the right)
YOU MUST cleary try it before buy it if you are tall!
nusul said:
in fact, the band size is short, i am 1meter85, and the band is the limit to me. The plastic is hard (peharps too new?) and the close mechanism is bad placed (to much to the right)
YOU MUST cleary try it before buy it if you are tall!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the information, I have it on pre-order, but I can return it if it doesn't fit. How do watch bands usually fit for you?
Usually, i must use the larger band i have a big arm (20.5cm in circumference on the wrist)
nusul said:
Usually, i must use the larger band i have a big arm (20.5cm in circumference on the wrist)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I measured my wrist, I'm getting approximately 21.5 cm (8 1/2 inches). I'm thinking I might have problems with the gear
This is a great guide to repairing our Gear Live watches that may come in handy with the reports of broken charger tabs. It actually looks like a pretty easy job to replace the back cover providing that they're available to purchase.
https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Samsung+Gear+Live+Teardown/27038
If this is in the wrong section, feel free to move it to a more appropriate location.
A piece of plastic chipped off the back of my watch and the clasp on the left hand side of my charging dock broke yesterday. I have to use a piece of tape to hold watch against pins. That took only a month to happen. Pisses me off because I didn't listen to the reviewers or forums. Think I may grab a 360 if Samsung won't fix it. I bought it off eBay brand new last month, so I don't know how that's all gonna work. You pay $250 (or whatever the final price is) and the back is plastic as well as the charging dock. Live and learn I guess. I still love the hell out of the watch, but DEFINETELY see this same exact thing happening to a lot of folks.
Recently my galaxy gear has started telling me the battery is critically low as soon as it comes off the charger and shows a full charge. It reboots often spontaneously. Sometimes won't connect to the phone. All kinds of dumb stuff. I tried resetting several times. But at this point, I know I have the best buy protection plan on it, so I figure why not trade it in on something new.
I'm just not sure which way I want to go. I have been leaning more toward the LG G watch R and Moto 360, but want to make sure I am not ignoring other good models. I am currently using a Samsung note 4 edge, so I have most options available to me., but again I have been focusing more on android wear as opposed to Samsungs devices.
I like the LG G watch R, minus the possibility for burn in, the more expensive price tag and the slightly smaller screen. And everybody seems to dislike them now that they aren't doing wifi on the R. Should I also look at Urbane? It's even more expensive, but I feel like my galaxy gear was like $250, so I do have some money to put toward it I guess.
The 360 has a bigger screen and wireless charging, but has the flat tire, the older processor and smaller battery and while my wife likes it, I'm not in love with the cylinder on a strap look. Everyone says it looks classier than the sporty LG. But something about a big round thing on a small strap looks weird to me. I almost wish it had the Strap connectors(not sure the official term) like the LG has. I did just see it looks a little better with a metal strap as opposed to the leather ones.
I haven't looked at the zenwatch as much, something about the round screens were appealing to me. But maybe I should look into it more.
And then there are samsungs, gear live, grea 2 neo, and gear S, should I be looking at them? I don't need the gear S's standalone ability.
Maybe I will get biased answers here. But I figured it was a good place to start since I didn't really see a general smart watch forum.
Thanks!
I'm not going to make a comment about performance, but as an owner of the Gear S2 Classic Platinum and the Gear S3 Classic, this watch looks cheaper in appearance. The turn bezel, to me in real life, looks like it belongs on a kids watch rather than a dress watch. I'm still not sure if I'll keep it for the functions, but right now I'm 50/50 on sending it back this week.
yes, the 41mm rotating bezel is plain where as for 45mm, it has got those grooves/gears around it. One of the reason i went with 45mm.
I've ordered the 41mm because the 45mm is like strapping an alarm clock to your wrist. Its here on Friday, fingers crossed I like it
May go for a Withings scanwatch if I don't like it.
The bezel on the 41mm version is more rounded and doesn't have the gripper teeth found on the 45mm version. I guess this is some sort of trade off to keep the screen bigger. I watched a few reviews and the silver 41mm always looked premium to me. As with all comments about design and colour, we have to factor in that not everyone's tastes are equal. For example I wouldn't be seen dead with the bronze version but many people (both male and female) seem to love it. Each to their own!
I am expecting my silver 45mm to be delivered today and will post my feeling about later. But I have no real doubts that I will love the watch.
.
I got my 45mm silver version delivered today. I have to say although it looks quite similar to my Galaxy Watch (1st gen) there are enough to differentiate them.
It looks great and I have ordered a tan coloured leather band which I think will really make this watch look even more premium.
It received a firmware upgrade, that now activates the SPO2 sensor and I was running the latest Tizen 5.5 on my original watch, everything looks pretty much the same, which is not a bad thing.
So to the OP, I believe your disappointment lays with the smaller version, I can see maybe how a smaller dial would give a less premium look. I hope you are happy with whatever you decide to do going forward though.
.
apprentice said:
I got my 45mm silver version delivered today. I have to say although it looks quite similar to my Galaxy Watch (1st gen) there are enough to differentiate them.
It looks great and I have ordered a tan coloured leather band which I think will really make this watch look even more premium.
It received a firmware upgrade, that now activates the SPO2 sensor and I was running the latest Tizen 5.5 on my original watch, everything looks pretty much the same, which is not a bad thing.
So to the OP, I believe your disappointment lays with the smaller version, I can see maybe how a smaller dial would give a less premium look. I hope you are happy with whatever you decide to do going forward though.
.
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Click to collapse
Glad you are liking the GW3. I had used black 42mm GW before and i got the mystic silver 45mm GW3 this time around. This looks totally a new watch to me because of the bigger brighter display and the silver color. I am liking it
I sent my 41mm Silver back and sold the Frontier I was going to trade in on the Bay for more than the Sammy trade in allowance. I've read that the 45mm is actually thinner than the 41. During Black Friday I'll go into a store with my trusted S3 and compare it side by side with the silver 45. Maybe I'll give the 45 a chance then.
Sending my 41mm back, Samsung can't tell me when ECG and BP monitoring will be available. I really like the watch, but I need these features and honestly think I'll get fed up charging every day.
Hey ho
gsw5700 said:
Sending my 41mm back, Samsung can't tell me when ECG and BP monitoring will be available. I really like the watch, but I need these features and honestly think I'll get fed up charging every day.
Hey ho
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Click to collapse
The features you want are dependant on approval from public health bodies, not Samsung. So you can't blame them for not being able to give you an answer. But in my opinion the UK is likely to be on board quicker than a lot of other countries so my guess is this feature will be available soon.
As for charging, I get 2 days easily out of mine with normal use. Popping it on charge over night (or a quick top up in the morning if using sleep monitoring) really shouldn't be any trouble to you, with its magnetic charging pad it's no different to placing your watch on the bedside table or wherever you normally lay your watch when you take it off.
If you really like the watch like you say you do, then I think you are missing out here.
Just my opinion of course.
Good response... But...
• Samsung can't provide date when ECG/BP will be ready, Samsung support lied to me, Grrrr
• I have to charge daily 2-3h Grrrrr
• Eats battery on my oneplus phone, far too many Samsung services running.
• doesn't work with Strava
Withings scanwatch
Battery lasts 30 (THIRTY days)
ECG, heart monitoring & other stuff already approved
Got all workout activities I need
Only £279
Works with Strava
Looks great
For me, personally, it's a no brainer
Comparing with my old Huawei Watch 2 Classic, which had a much larger bezel, the GW3 does look more premium and modern. I might have done the bezel a little different on GW3, but ultimately I think the screen size-to-bezel ratio is about right (on the 45mm version).
As for battery, no issues. Although an hour of GPS & heart rate monitoring on a brisk walk drains the battery like no one's business (about 20% an hour, and that's without bluetooth tunes). But that seems to be pretty typical for any watch on GPS. GPS and heart rate appear to be very accurate, too, but some reviewers that are competitive marathoners have had a few minor issues. The 8(?) infra-red sensors means you don't have to tighten the watch until it cuts off circulation to get good readings.
Is there 3rd party one available that doesn't overheat watch?
I am also interested in this.
Related - is there a wireless pad that could charge the GW3 as well as a phone? The included puck won't charge my S10e.
Although now that I have a metal band on my GW3, I'm pretty limited (i.e. watch has to wrap around the wireless charger because of the clasp, as opposed to the original leather strap that completely disconnects).
ever since the moto 360, all my smartwatches have had a metal clasp/band.
i use the duo pad from samsung, but i hang the duo pad over a table so the watch can hang...
see photo...
Hello ,
i use original charger with this :
Galaxy Watch 3 Night Stand S352
Spigen’s Night Stand for the Galaxy Watch 3 (45mm/41mm) is made entirely of scratch-free TPU for minimal aesthetics packed with smart functionality. It features a bottom lip that cradles your watch on its side for stability that prevents your watch from swaying side to side. An exact charger...
www.spigen.com
Same thing Galaxy watch 46 mm .
Best Buy has the original Samsung Charging Pad on sale for $14.99.
Link
You can 3d print or buy a stand for these
Here's a link to a 3d printable holder for the charging pad. It's my favorite and if you print it at 100% PLA and add some small stick on rubber feet to the bottom it's heavy and stable enough to stay where you put it.
Link
Agree with Best Buy options...
I'm using this one. Works with phones and watches https://www.samsung.com/uk/mobile-accessories/wireless-charger-pad-p3105-ep-p3105tbeggb/
MKchrias said:
Is there 3rd party one available that doesn't overheat watch?
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Click to collapse
Hi, I just found out that my old Gear S2 watch charging cradle charges my Galaxy Watch 3.
I haven't used it to fully charge the GW3 yet but hey, it actually charges, will try it next time the watch needs a full charge and see how well it goes.
marctronixx said:
ever since the moto 360, all my smartwatches have had a metal clasp/band.
i use the duo pad from samsung, but i hang the duo pad over a table so the watch can hang...
see photo...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you just get a few tall stick-on feet, the watch band will go right under the charger. I've always preferred the metal bands and this was the first issue I ran into with them. This works great. Notice the one foot in the center of the fan, be careful not to block the air flow.